Drumbeat

F(B)

Spintop: customized Hollow Point (with Bulldog cap
and anodized)

Alternative content

Alternative content

Description: Throw a trapeze. Let the top precess until it points
away from you (the string will twist). Pop into the air and catch again
in a trapeze (so the string starts untwisted the new precession turn).
Between pops, pump the top like a diabolo.

To regenerate, pump by raising the throwing hand fast while lowering
the other hand, creating friction in the direction of rotation (the top
is raised a tiny amount). Then reverse the position of the hands while
decreasing friction between the string and the tip (by lowering the top
slightly).

Usually, there are between one and three pumps between pops. However,
skipping the pumps is also possible. To do it, catch the top close to
the throwing hand and let is slide down fast towards the middle of the
string to create the regenerating friction.

Advice: Let the string slip on the non-throwing hand while pumping.
This dampens the jerk on the top and facilitates keeping the top on the
string, greatly decreasing the need to match the upwards movement of throwing
hand with the downwards movement of the other.

Keeping the string from getting tangled is a major difficulty of drumbeat.
I find that I have more success if I pop the top when it is facing right,
instead of waiting until it points straight away.

Notes: In the description it is assumed that the pumping action
is done with the same hand as the throw (either right or left). If the
throw is a side-mount trapeze (instead of vertical), the top will land
on the string facing the player and no pumping should be attempted until
the first pop.

The spinning top in this trick is played as a half-diabolo. However,
because it precesses much faster, the player cannot follow the turning
and (s)he is forced to pop it into the air to avoid twisting the string
too much.

Drumbeat can be done (simulated?) with a bearing top, until the initial
spin is consumed. With a very good bearing about 20 pops can be achieved.

History/Etymology: This trick was already included in the Duncan
trick list of the early 1960s. The name of the trick obviously comes from
the movement of the arms while pumping. Thus, "no-pump drumbeat"
is somewhat of an oxymoron (but it is accepted in competition).